Parliament's upper house passes bill amid opposition protest

Myanmar's National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrives to the opening of the new parliament in Naypyitaw February 1, 2016Reuters

Myanmar democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi, whose NLD party took power from the military junta earlier this week, moved a step closer to circumventing a constitutional ban on her assuming top executive powers.

The upper house of Myanmar parliament approved a bill seeking a "state counsellor" role for Suu Kyi, paving the way for her to assume a role similar to that of a prime minister.

The first piece of legislation in the new parliament became the subject of heated debate, with the military nominated members and the former ruling party USDP opposing the move.

However, the National League for Democracy (NLD), which holds an overwhelming majority in the parliament, steamrollered the opposition. The bill now be passed on to the lower house where it is expected to have a smooth sail.

The newly created advisory position allows the 70-year-old leader a larger role across the government, where she already holds the charge of four portfolios -- foreign affairs, president's office, education and energy.

"The object of the proposal from the bill committee in the upper house parliament is to fulfill the wishes and interests of people who voted on 8 November 2015," NLD lawmaker Aung Kyi Nyun told parliament, according to the Guardian.